Hi, I'm Ricky, creator of Freewriter. I built Freewriter because I couldn't find a writing app that fit my needs. Through multiple incantations, the app has evolved, adding new features each time, making them uniquely unconventional. Unlike big startups, I embraced the "crazy" ideas they might avoid. These apps are different, and they work.
Waves no longer hosts v9 installers on their main site. You will need to find your original installer DVD or download a legacy archive from your Waves account (under "My Products" -> "Legacy Versions").
The file is large: roughly 12GB to 15GB for the Complete bundle.
Waves v9r2 Complete for Mac is a historical but highly capable plugin bundle — a snapshot of pro audio’s transition from 32-bit to 64-bit. For those with compatible systems, it remains a powerful, stable, and low-CPU mixing toolkit. For modern Mac users, it’s mostly irrelevant due to lack of Apple Silicon and HiDPI support.
đź“Ś If you still own a valid v9r2 license and need to reinstall, contact Waves Support for legacy installers. Otherwise, consider upgrading to v14/15 for modern macOS compatibility.
Running older Waves plugins on modern Macs can be tricky, but getting the Waves V9 release (specifically V9.92 or the classic V9r2 installers) working is a common task for those with legacy projects or older perpetual licenses.
Below is a complete guide formatted as a blog post to help you navigate the installation and activation process on macOS.
How to Install and Activate Waves V9 on Mac: A Complete Guide
Maintaining a stable studio environment often means sticking with the tools that work. If you are still relying on Waves V9 plugins—the generation that introduced the 64-bit Waveshell—you might find that modern installers don't always make it easy to go backward.
Whether you're using a legacy Intel Mac or trying to bridge the gap on a newer system, here is how you can get Waves V9 up and running. 🛠️ Prerequisites Before You Start
Operating System: V9.92 is officially supported up to macOS 10.14 (Mojave). While some users report success on Catalina or Big Sur, it is not officially supported by Waves Support. waves v9r2 complete mac
Waves Central: You must use the latest version of Waves Central to manage licenses, even for older versions.
Licenses: Ensure your V9 licenses are visible in your Waves account. 1. Download the Legacy Offline Installer
Because Waves Central's "Online" tab typically shows the latest versions (V15/V16), you cannot simply click "Install" for V9. You must use an Offline Installer. Visit the Waves Download page. Download the V9.92 Offline Installation Folder for Mac. Unzip the folder and move it to your Desktop. 2. Activate Your Licenses
Before installing the software, you need the "permission" to run it. Open Waves Central (Applications > Waves Central). Go to the Licenses page on the left sidebar. Select Not Activated at the top. Check the boxes for your V9 plugins.
Select your Target Device (your Computer or a USB Flash Drive). Click Activate.
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: Activating to a USB drive allows you to move your plugins between different Macs easily without needing to "re-activate" every time. 3. Install the V9 Software
Now that your licenses are on your machine, it's time to install the actual plugin files. In Waves Central, go to the Offline Installer page. Click Open Installer.
Browse to the Waves - 24.5.18 folder (or your downloaded V9 folder) on your Desktop and click Open. A list of plugins will appear. Select the ones you own. Click the blue Install button. 4. Final Step: The AU Reg Utility (Logic Pro Users Only)
If you use Logic Pro X, you might notice your plugins don't show up immediately. You need to register the Audio Units manually. Waves no longer hosts v9 installers on their main site
Navigate to Macintosh HD > Applications > Waves > Waveshells. Run the Waves AU Reg Utility V9. Restart your Mac and launch Logic. ⚠️ Important Compatibility Notes
Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3): Waves V9 is not natively compatible with Apple Silicon. To run V9 on these Macs, you must run your DAW using Rosetta 2. For full native support, Waves V13 and above are required.
Version Co-existence: You generally cannot run V9 and V10+ side-by-side easily unless you specifically use the V9.92 installer. Earlier versions like V9.6 will be uninstalled if you try to add newer plugins.
The Update Plan: If you want the latest features or macOS Sonoma/Sequoia compatibility, check if your plugins are covered under the Waves Update Plan (WUP) to get a free jump to V16. Need help?
If your DAW still isn't seeing the plugins, try a "Rescan" in your DAW's Plugin Manager or contact Waves Technical Support for a manual cleanup of your Waveshells.
complete collection for Mac includes a massive array of professional audio plugins for mixing, mastering, and production. Version 9 (specifically
) is the final sub-version for V9 and is used primarily to maintain compatibility on legacy macOS systems. Included Plugins & Bundles The V9 complete installer covers over 200 plugins
found in premium bundles like Mercury, Horizon, and Diamond. Key highlights include: Signature Series: Chris Lord-Alge (CLA), Eddie Kramer Greg Wells , and Tony Maserati collections Analog Emulations:
SSL 4000 Collection, API Collection, Abbey Road Reverb Plates, and CLA-2A/CLA-76 compressors. Essential Dynamics: đź“Ś If you still own a valid v9r2
C4/C6 Multiband Compressors, L2/L3 Ultramaximizers, and Renaissance Maxx. Instruments: Element 2.0, Electric 88 Piano, and Codex Wavetable Synth. System Requirements (V9.92)
Version 9.92 is tailored for older hardware and operating systems: Operating System:
macOS Yosemite (10.10.5) through macOS High Sierra (10.13.3). Processor: Intel Core i5 / i7 / Xeon. Disk Space: 8 GB free space on the system drive. Installation Guide For Mac users on legacy systems, the installation requires Waves Central L (the legacy version of the management software): V9.92 Offline Installation Folder for Mac from the official Waves website Move the folder to your desktop. Install Waves Central L: Install_Waves_Central.dmg file found within the offline folder. Open Offline Installer:
Launch Waves Central L, click "Install Products," and then "Select Offline Installer". Direct to Folder:
Browse to the "Waves - 24.5.18" folder (or similar V9 folder) on your desktop and click "Open". Select & Install:
Choose your desired plugins or bundles (e.g., Mercury) and click "Install". If you are using Logic Pro X , you must also run the Waves AU Reg Utility V9 located in Applications > Waves > Waveshells to ensure the plugins are scanned correctly. Are you planning to use these on an
with a specific OS version, or are you trying to bridge them into a modern system Download Waves V9
Waves v9r2 refers to the version 9, revision 2 release of the Waves Complete plugin bundle. This version was current roughly between 2013–2015 and represents a significant period when Waves transitioned from 32-bit to 64-bit support while still maintaining stability on older Mac hardware. The “Complete” bundle includes virtually every native Waves plugin released up to that point.
Unlike feature-heavy updates that introduce new plugins, V9r2 was a maintenance and compatibility release. Its key attributes include:
Important: The Freewriter Game & Pro 2.10.10 both save your data locally in your browser, not in the cloud.
If you or someone else clears cookies or browsing data, all your projects will be lost. To prevent this, back up your work daily.
Pros: Your data stays private—no company servers are involved.
Cons: You are fully responsible for your data. If you don’t back it up and store it elsewhere, you risk losing everything if your computer is lost or damaged.